History
When children share their creativity with the world, differences fade and compassion grows—uniting hearts across borders.
What if children from every corner of the world could be united through art and writing? Imagine the power of students sharing their hopes and dreams for a better tomorrow through paint, words, and creativity. The idea is simple, yet its impact is profound: when children are given the chance to see the work of peers from other nations, they are not only excited and encouraged, but also moved with compassion. Despite differences in culture and distance, their art and writing reveal a common thread of humanity—one that enriches their lives, strengthens their communities, and extends far beyond borders.
South Africa
The International Art and Writing Project (IAWP) began in 2008, when a couple of women traveled from Detroit to South Africa, bringing materials so that students could express their thoughts and ideas on a central theme. The belief was that the resulting artwork and essays would broaden the horizons of the students involved and show that children around the world have similar experiences. Writing on prompts such as “A Day in My Life” allows the participants to share their daily routines and shed light on how children in other countries live and play. Today, the International Art and Writing Program has had over 7000 student participants and has been featured in 13 countries around the world, including Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, China, Guatemala, India, Ireland, Israel, Malawi, Mexico, Philippines, South Africa, Tanzania, and the United States. The IAWP continues to make an impact on our participants, building international bonds.
South Africa Student Presents His IAWP writing project
"Literacy Is For Everyone" powered by Beyond Basics hosted an International Writing Project in South Africa. In this amazing video, you'll witness one of the students we worked with read his project aloud & speak about it as well. Enjoy!
Student Presents Her artwork project
A brightly colored painting of a student artist's village in Africa.
- Student Artist, Olgilai